The Republican journal., 1887-06-23

the country is now more free from robbers
than that under his control.
Nothing shows more plainly the general feel
ing in Mexico of
INSECURITY OF LIFE AND PROPERTY
than the fact that everybody who can afford it
even the mcrest boy and most womcn-carry
immense sclf-cocking revolvcrs continually
about them. while those unable to purchase
these implements of death content themselves
with amy sort of swords, stiIettoes or daggers,
and the poorest peon has his wcll->harpened
knife mechate.
In many portions of Mexico, crimes, which
in any other civilized country would arouse
popular Indignation to the utmost, are daily
perpetrated without attracting the slightest
notice OF the authorities. In some states rob-
berry is rampant among all classes, from the
peasant who thrrstS his hand into your pocket
in the market-place. up to the highest local
official, whose peculations amount to thousands
per annum. What wonder that common thieves
increase and multiply, when those of superior
caste occupy the hig hest social positions! What
wonder that secret clans of stout fellows
abound-industrious lads of high spirit-who
prefer the knife and pistol to any other implc-
mentS, mechanical or agricultural, for gaining
a livelihood? What wonder that the country is
infested with banlitti, when it is a we-known
fact that i'll many quarters both the police and
the military, (nauy of them eX-highwaymen
themselves), are in direct connivancc with
tiCsC IAui VI tuc NOutl 50 tltt HO ullclnDtS
are made to bring them to Justice! These
GENTLEMANLY HlGHwAYMEN
are in the habit of assembling quietly at the
usual time and places of the arrival and
departure of wayfaring people, to note with
care their comings and goings. and to find
means of aScertaining with astonishing accura-
cy the amount of worldly wealth they may
carry about,-With a view to Lying forth
later and relieving them of goods to which
they MIGHT hn T. IniIrh ~ tnu fnr tha
fare of their souls
Mime. Cal,lcron, wife Of a former Spanish
Minister in Mexico. tells of Il murder in dip
lonatic circles. which occurred during her
residence here. The Swiss Consul was also a
leather-merchant, and believed to be very
wealthy. One morning Il carriage drove up to
his door and three gentlemen presented them
selves, desiring to speak to the Consul on
private business. He had just sent out his
porter OH some commission, but begged them
to walk into his otce-and there entered IL
General i'll uniform. Il younger Cficcr. and
Monk. Scarcely was the door closed when
two of the intrudcrs seized the Consul. while
the other guarded the entrance. one of them
eNclaimins. 1--WE have not come to hear about
your goods, we want your money.
The poor man. unarmed and surprised. in
stantly handed over all the funds in the house.
amounting to little more than $500. When
ready to depart the Monk said. "Wc must kill
him, or he will inform on us
"Oh no., said the more humane soldier.
there is no danger, leave him and come
along
go ahead and | will follow replied the
Monk; and turning back he stabbed the Consul
to the heart. The three then rc-cntered their
carriage and drove off at full speed. A few
moments later the porter returned, and found
his master bahed in blood. An alarm was
given and nei"hbors rushed to his assistance.
but the Consul lived only long enough to fully
describe his aSSailantS. They We're captured
and hanged upon trees in front of the house.
together with a real General who had kindly
loaned the sham officers his carriage and uni
form. FANNIE b. WARD.